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Adopt a Trail Orientation 2012

MUNISING, Mich. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's 2012 "Adopt-a-Trail, Adopt-a-Campsite and Adopt-a-Beach" orientation and training session will be held Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. It will be held at the Munising Falls Visitor Center located at 1505 Sand Point Road, across from the Munising Memorial Hospital.

Under this program, interested individuals or groups who enjoy hiking and camping in the park can adopt a section of trail, backcountry campsite or beach segment. Adopt-a-Trail, Adopt-a-Campsite and Adopt-a-Beach volunteers will be asked to visit their section of trail, campsite or beach once a month from May through October for light maintenance duties including picking up litter, light brushing, cleaning out water bars, and breaking up illegal fire rings.

Volunteers will also be asked to fill out a brief one-page summary and to report on any larger issues that need to be followed up or completed by park staff. The park will provide a VIP uniform vest and ball cap, basic tools, gloves, and written guidelines on the work to be performed.

"As with many other public institutions, we need the assistance of volunteers to complement and supplement the work of our paid professional staff," Park Superintendent Jim Northup explained. "With over 100 miles of trail and 14 designated backcountry campsites, this is just as true in the backcountry as it is in the developed areas of the park. We are so grateful to the citizen-stewards that participated in this program last year, and encourage even more local citizens to become partners with us in taking care of this very special place."

The park's trail network has 37 sections that are available for "adoption". Adoptable sections range from trails that are easily accessible and less than a tenth of a mile to a section of the North Country Trail that is 5.3 miles long. There is something for every ability and level of interest.

"This will be the seventh year for this program and it has been very successful," said Pam Baker, the park's Volunteer Coordinator. "We have a lot of very dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who love to hike and are happy to do some work along the way, and we hope they will be back with us this year. Most of all we want people to have fun and enjoy their time spent in the park. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to be a part of conserving America's first national lakeshore."

If you are interested in participating in the program, please call Pam Baker, the park's Volunteer in Park Coordinator, at 387-3700.